C. A. Hooker

Complexly Organised Dynamical Systems

Both natural and engineered systems are fundamentally dynamical in nature: their defining properties are causal, and their organisational and functional capacities are causally grounded. Among dynamical systems, an interesting and important sub-class are those that are autonomous, anticipative and adaptive (AAA). Living systems, intelligent systems, sophisticated robots and social systems belong to this class, and the use of these terms has recently spread rapidly through the scientific literature. Central to understanding these dynamical systems is their complicated organisation and their consequent capacities for re- and self-organisation. But there is at present no general analysis of these capacities or of the requisite organisation involved. We define what distinguishes AAA systems from other kinds of systems by characterising their central properties in a dynamically interpreted information theory.

Contemporary Research in the Foundations and Philosophy of Quantum Theory

On the Completeness of Quantum Mechanics.- Joint Probability Distributions in Quantum Mechanics.- Semantic Analysis of Quantum Logic.- Is The Principle of Superposition Really Necessary?.- Quantum Logics.- Metaphysics and Modern Physics: A Prolegomenon to the Understanding of Quantum Theory.- The General Relativistic Quantization Program.- Quantum Physics and General Relativity the Search for a Deeper Theory.- On the Nature of Light and the Problem of Matter.- Epistemological Perspective on Quantum Theory.

Philosophy and meta-philosophy of science: Empiricism, popperianism and realism

An explicit philosophy and meta-philosophy of positivism, empiricism and popperianism is provided. Early popperianism is argued to be essentially a form of empiricism, the deviations from empiricism are traced. In contrast, the meta-philosophy and philosophy of an evolutionary naturalistic realism is developed and it is shown how the maximal conflict of this doctrine with all forms of empiricism at the meta-philosophical level both accounts for the form of its development at the philosophical level and its defense against attack from nonrealist quarters. Following an earlier article on realism of similar theme (Synthese 26 (1974), 409) this paper then further explores the ramifications of a thoroughgoing realist position.

Asymptotics, Reduction and Emergence

All the major inter-theoretic relations of fundamental science are asymptotic ones, e.g. quantum theory as Plancks constant h → 0, yielding (roughly) Newtonian mechanics. Thus asymptotics ultimately grounds claims about inter-theoretic explanation, reduction and emergence. This paper examines four recent, central claims by Batterman concerning asymptotics and reduction. While these claims are criticised, the discussion is used to develop an enriched, dynamically-based account of reduction and emergence, to show its capacity to illuminate the complex variety of inter-theory relationships in physics, and to provide a principled resolution to such persistent philosophical problems as multiple realisability and the nature of the special sciences. 1. Introduction2. Exposition3. Examination I: Claims (1) and (2), asymptotic explanation and reference4. Examination II: Claim (3), reduction and singular asymptotics5. Examination III: Claim (4), emergence and multiple realisability6. Conclusion Introduction Exposition Examination I: Claims (1) and (2), asymptotic explanation and reference Examination II: Claim (3), reduction and singular asymptotics Examination III: Claim (4), emergence and multiple realisability Conclusion

Self-directed Agents

In this paper we outline a theory of the nature of self-directed agents. On our account what is distinctive about self-directed agents is that they are able to anticipate interaction processes and evaluate their performance. This allows self-directed agents to modify their behaviour context sensitively so as to improve the achievement of goals, and in certain instances construct new goals. We contrast self-directedness with reactive action processes that are not modifiable by the agent, though they may be modified by supra-agent processes such as populational adaptation or external design. Self-directedness lies at the nexus of a set of issues concerning the evolution and nature of intentionality, intelligence and agency. It provides the core of a biologically grounded account of intentional agency.

Representation and the meaning of life

Also published in Representation in mind : new approaches to mental representation / Hugh Clapin, Phillil Staines, Peter Slezak (eds.) : ISBN 008044394X

Towards a General Theory of Reduction. Part II: Identity in Reduction

Part I of this trilogy, Historical and Scientific Setting , set out a general context for selecting a certain subclass of inter-theoretic relations as achieving appropriate explanatory and ontological unification – hence for properly being labelled reductive. Something of the complexity of these relations in real science was explored. The present article concentrates on the role which identity plays in structuring the reduction relation and so in achieving ontological and explanatory unification.

Projection, Physical Intelligibility, Objectivity and Completeness: The Divergent Ideals of Bohr and Einstein

It is shown how the development of physics has involved making explicit what were homocentric projections which had heretofore been implicit, indeed inexpressible in theory. This is shown to support a particular notion of the invariant as the real. On this basis the divergence in ideals of physical intelligibility between Bohr and Einstein is set out. This in turn leads to divergent, but explicit, conceptions of objectivity and completeness for physical theory.

Applying Self-Directed Anticipative Learning to Science I: Agency, Error, and the Interactive Exploration of Possibility Space in Early Ape-Langugae Research

The purpose of this paper and its sister paper (Farrell and Hooker, b) is to present, evaluate and elaborate a proposed new model for the process of scientific development: self-directed anticipative learning (SDAL). The vehicle for its evaluation is a new analysis of a well-known historical episode: the development of ape-language research. In this first paper we outline five prominent features of SDAL that will need to be realized in applying SDAL to science: 1) interactive exploration of possibility space; 2) self-directedness; 3) localization of success and error; 4) Synergistic increase in learning capacity; and 5) continuity of SDAL process across scientific change. In this paper we examine the first three features of SDAL in relation to the early history of ape-language research. We show that this history is readily explicated as a self-directed, ever-finer, delineation of possibility space that enables the localization of both success and error. Paper II examines the last two features against this history.

Between Formalism and Anarchism: A Reasonable Middle Way

Locate Feyerabend within a theory of Western traditions. [What follows is my current conjectural formulation of the core western philosophical project, not a pronouncement ex cathedra].